Practice Tips
This information is geared towards helping children to continue practice with their instrument
Things to do
Introduce your child to nursery rhymes and songs, like This Old Man, The Grand Old Duke of York, or 'rounds' like Frère Jacques. Get them to sing along - children follow by example so don't be embarrassed! Sing in the car, in the bath - wherever. Enthusiasm is Everything - vocal quality is irrelevant.
Encourage children to make up their own songs, perhaps using rhyming words.
Take your child to a music shop and enjoy looking at the instruments, as well as the fun products like stickers, mugs, posters and so on.
Listen to as much live music of different styles as you can with your child - a local town band, buskers or a local concert. Make sure that the music is of a sensible duration though, otherwise boredom will set in and they won't want to go again. Maybe just the first half of the concert is enough.
Things not to do
Don't have the TV on or any other sound source in the background while your child is practicing.
Don't compare your child's progress, or level of achievement, with that of other children: children develop at different rates
Don't treat your child as a circus animal: they may not relish playing to family and friends at your request. Some subtle tactics may be needed here!
What to do if they want to give up
Try to find out the underlying reason for any dissatisfaction
Would playing in a band or small group of some kind give them some motivation
If your child has pressures from school, perhaps through exams, then make sure they know that their music can take a back seat for a while. Let them simply enjoy playing when time allows, without the expectation of progress being made. Make sure that their teacher is aware of any pressures from homework, exams or other activities.
